Shield for water and sound

Abstract

A composite high density plastic sheet, comprising a thermoplastic elastomer filled in substantial amount with an inorganic material, and intimately blended with a high strength low density polyethylene whereby to provide in one product the benefits of sound attenuation as well as inhibiting water and dust entry. The sheet can be cold-formed to include a pocket portion for use in applications such as receiving vehicle apparatus. Provision of a separate layer of the low density polyethylene assists in the sheets being stacked and adhesive permits the sheet to be removably attached to a surface of the apparatus.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A barrier for shielding against the infiltration of water, air and sound, said barrier comprising a sheet of a thickness and composition effective for imparting sound deadening qualities to said barrier, said composition consisting essentially of from about 2% to about 20% of polyethylene selected from the group consisting of low density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, ultra low density polyethylene, and mixtures thereof intimately blended with from about 80% to about 98% of a thermoplastic elastomer substantially filled with from about 50% to about 95% of an inorganic filler. 
     
     
       2. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein the elastomer is approximately 95% and the polyethylene is approximately 5%, by weight. 
     
     
       3. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein the elastomer has a weight basis in the range of 0.15 to 0.30 lb/sq. ft. 
     
     
       4. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein the inorganic filler comprises between 50% and 79% of the thermoplastic elastomer. 
     
     
       5. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein the inorganic filler comprises approximately 76% of the thermoplastic elastomer. 
     
     
       6. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein the inorganic filler consists essentially of calcium carbonate and barium sulfate. 
     
     
       7. The invention as recited in claim 1, wherein said barrier further comprises a thin planar sheet having first and second surfaces and an edge of desired configuration, and further comprising a layer of low density polyethylene being formed on one said surface. 
     
     
       8. The invention as recited in claim 1, wherein said barrier further comprises a thin planar sheet having first and second surfaces and further comprising a release agent bonded on one said surface. 
     
     
       9. The invention as recited in claim 1, wherein said barrier further comprises a thin planar sheet having first and second surfaces and further comprising a low surface energy polymer coextruded on one said surface. 
     
     
       10. The invention as recited in claim 1, wherein said barrier further comprises a thin planar sheet having first and second surfaces and further comprising at least one pocket being cold-formed therein, said pocket being collapsible to lie essentially in the plane of the sheet and extendable in a direction away from one surface of said barrier. 
     
     
       11. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said polyethylene is a low density polyethylene. 
     
     
       12. The invention as claimed in claim 1 wherein said polyethylene comprises from about 2% to about 20% of said composition. 
     
     
       13. The invention as claimed in claim 1 wherein said thermoplastic elastomer comprises from about 80% to about 98% of said composition.